How To Look Younger — No Makeup Required!

Whether you’re 35 and just beginning to see the first signs of aging, or 55 with skin that isn’t exactly keeping your birthday a secret, seeking ways to reduce wrinkles is probably on your agenda.

With all the new formulas and findings today, it’s hard to know what really works. Well, you can relax. To help put you on the right path, we’ve researched what the experts suggest for age-defying anti wrinkle remedies and removing age spots and tested the old myths for you. What follows are 10 ways experts say can make a difference.

1. Cut down on face wash. You’re probably surprised by this skin-care tip, but cutting down on cleansing could save your skin. The skin’s natural oils protect and keep it moist. Washing your face too frequently strips the skin of these vital oils and will cause dryness and irritation. This may cause your skin to look dull and aged, making wrinkles more prominent.

2. Don’t smoke. Some of the research surrounding this claim is still controversial, but more and more studies are confirming that cigarette smoke ages skin – mostly by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin, which are key components of the skin. Some studies show those who smoked tended to have skin that was more wrinkled and up to 40% thinner than non-smokers.

3. Many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that are great for your skin. Include more produce in your diet, and you may be on your way to improved skin. Many researchers found that skin with high levels of antioxidants had fewer wrinkles and therefore looked younger.

4. Moisturizing is vital for healthy looking skin, especially during the winter months. As you age, your skin tend to dry out naturally. Moisturizers soften lines and wrinkles and keep skin moist for a healthy glow. Protect against future wrinkles and nourish your skin by using a daily moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher.

5. Eat more fish – especially salmon. Incorporating fish in your diet can be great for your skin. Salmon is full of antioxidants and is the all-around best fish to eat for your skin.

6. Get your beauty sleep. Nighttime is your body’s time to repair and renew your skin. Denying your body of adequate sleep may also be depriving your skin of the time it needs to heal. The best time for the skin to absorb facial products is at night, so apply a nighttime skin treatment and plop into bed ready to fight wrinkles.

7. Drink water! Yes, the rumors are true. Drinking at least eight full glasses water a day is crucial to keeping your skin well hydrated, smooth and silky. If your skin is dry, fine lines and roughness develop, and your skin will look older and less radiant. We know, water can get boring. Try adding a lemon or lime to liven up the taste.

8. Try a home remedy. Gently smooth the inside of a lemon, lime or papaya peel over your skin in the evening before going to bed to effectively get rid off dead skin cells and reveal fresh, new, cells underneath. You can also lighten age spots with fresh lemon juice applied twice a day with a cotton pad. Honey is another great natural ingredient packed with healing elements and antioxidants to nourish your skin. Try spreading a thin layer of honey on your skin and leaving it on for 15-20 minutes to keep your skin hydrated and looking radiant.

9. Avoid the sun. Without sun protection, people who spend lots of time outdoors often develop skin that makes them look older than their actual age. We don’t want that, do we? The most important habit to develop to combat wrinkles and age spots is to apply a full-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater to your face and hands every morning, even if you are just driving to work in the car. Many moisturizers in the market today have some sort of SPF element incorporated into it. The higher the SPF, the better the protection against UV rays.

10. Topical vitamin C. Studies have found it can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions. More importantly, however, may be the type of vitamin C used. To date, most of the studies point to the L-ascorbic acid form as the most potent for wrinkle relief.